Tens of thousands of Minnesotans rallied in downtown Minneapolis on Friday to protest the federal government’s increased immigration enforcement — demanding their civil rights and the return of 3,000 troops deployed to the state by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The protest was part of an event called “ICE Out of Minnesota: A Day of Truth & Freedom,” a general strike supported by Minnesota labor unions, religious leaders, and community activists.
Organizers urged all Minnesotans to stay home from work and school, and to avoid shopping — to disrupt the normal flow of business and protest the presence of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
The large protest began at The Commons Park at 2:00 p.m. in Minneapolis. The march ended with a rally at the Target Center.
Tens of thousands of people marched through downtown Minneapolis in sub-zero temperatures to protest the massive presence of ICE agents in recent weeks.
“I am here today because what is happening in our city is completely unacceptable. It is impacting the lives of our students and the families we serve,” said Dockter, one of the organizers of the protest.
A morning protest at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport resulted in nearly 100 arrests by MSP and Bloomington police on Friday, according to a statement from organizers.
